By Anne Scheck
UPDATES
Bond Rating Improves. In a recent round of bond refinancing, Standard & Poor – an international credit-rating agency – increased the city’s bond grade from an “A-” to an “A,” putting it higher in the mid-level range. It’s a significant change, said Gloria Butsch, the city’s finance director, who made the announcement at the council meeting in mid-July. “I’m excited to see a little bit of an upgrade,” she said.
This not only reflects an uptick in credit-worthy status, but the improved rating translates into better terms for the city when money is borrowed, she explained. The Standard & Poor report, which reviewed the most recent budget and audit, attributed the change to the way revenue and expenditures now are being managed by the city. However, the report also included areas in which the city needs to improve. [More details on the city budget and how it is being addressed will be in the August issue of The Independent.]
Homeless Issue Strategy. In an effort to increase effectiveness at battling homelessness in Salem and surrounding areas, Polk and Marion counties have exited a homeless advocacy group that previously involved 28 counties. Independence is now part of a new two-county organization – the result of a unanimous vote at the last city council meeting. The action made the city part of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA). Councilor Shannon Corr was appointed the city’s representative to the MWVHA board. [A more in-depth look on the program can be found in the Polk County Itemizer-Observer at this link: https://www.polkio.com/free_news/program-to-help-homeless-to-open-in-polk-marion-counties/article_26c356f4-cb9a-11ea-b075-c788a2476033.html]
MEETING PREVIEW: Tomorrow night, Tuesday July 28, at the City Council meeting ... a state grant to MINET of $270,000 is expected to be announced, with the aim of expanding wi-fi in the area ... also, councilors are being asked to vote on $2.5 million for construction costs of a pump station, a new capital project for the sewer-water system. The meeting is at 6:30 pm in the Independence Civic Center on Main St.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are restricted to the foyer of the reception area, where the meeting can be viewed on a wall-mounted screen. Some public officials still meet in council chambers, where public testimony is taken. A live-stream of the city council meeting can be seen on the city's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceOregon/
FINAL NOTE: At their recent session, state legislators extended the rental moratorium, including for commercial space, until the end of September – preventing evictions for non-paying tenants until after that time. Lenders also are barred from initiating foreclosures against homeowners through Sept. 30. However, in August, the City of Independence plans to drop its waiver for delinquent utility payments and begin disconnections. “We’ll work on assisting the customer with payment plans,” said Tom Pessemier, city manager.
UPDATES
Bond Rating Improves. In a recent round of bond refinancing, Standard & Poor – an international credit-rating agency – increased the city’s bond grade from an “A-” to an “A,” putting it higher in the mid-level range. It’s a significant change, said Gloria Butsch, the city’s finance director, who made the announcement at the council meeting in mid-July. “I’m excited to see a little bit of an upgrade,” she said.
This not only reflects an uptick in credit-worthy status, but the improved rating translates into better terms for the city when money is borrowed, she explained. The Standard & Poor report, which reviewed the most recent budget and audit, attributed the change to the way revenue and expenditures now are being managed by the city. However, the report also included areas in which the city needs to improve. [More details on the city budget and how it is being addressed will be in the August issue of The Independent.]
Homeless Issue Strategy. In an effort to increase effectiveness at battling homelessness in Salem and surrounding areas, Polk and Marion counties have exited a homeless advocacy group that previously involved 28 counties. Independence is now part of a new two-county organization – the result of a unanimous vote at the last city council meeting. The action made the city part of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA). Councilor Shannon Corr was appointed the city’s representative to the MWVHA board. [A more in-depth look on the program can be found in the Polk County Itemizer-Observer at this link: https://www.polkio.com/free_news/program-to-help-homeless-to-open-in-polk-marion-counties/article_26c356f4-cb9a-11ea-b075-c788a2476033.html]
MEETING PREVIEW: Tomorrow night, Tuesday July 28, at the City Council meeting ... a state grant to MINET of $270,000 is expected to be announced, with the aim of expanding wi-fi in the area ... also, councilors are being asked to vote on $2.5 million for construction costs of a pump station, a new capital project for the sewer-water system. The meeting is at 6:30 pm in the Independence Civic Center on Main St.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are restricted to the foyer of the reception area, where the meeting can be viewed on a wall-mounted screen. Some public officials still meet in council chambers, where public testimony is taken. A live-stream of the city council meeting can be seen on the city's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceOregon/
FINAL NOTE: At their recent session, state legislators extended the rental moratorium, including for commercial space, until the end of September – preventing evictions for non-paying tenants until after that time. Lenders also are barred from initiating foreclosures against homeowners through Sept. 30. However, in August, the City of Independence plans to drop its waiver for delinquent utility payments and begin disconnections. “We’ll work on assisting the customer with payment plans,” said Tom Pessemier, city manager.
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